Patients have been advised by hospitals across the region not to travel in bad weather if they have appointments to get to, with many hospitals cancelling or postponing non-urgent appointments and procedures.

It comes after the Beast from the East brought a blanket of snow to the region, causing disruption to travel.

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Travel conditions have been so hazardous that staff at North Cumbrian hospitals with 4x4 vehicles were asked to help others to get into work safely.

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And mountain rescue teams were also called out to assist staff making visits to patients in Cumbria.

You should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather.

Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely.

You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

Here's the detail:

Snow showers already affecting the area will become heavier and more prolonged later on Wednesday afternoon and at times through the evening and overnight period, with 5 cm of snow falling within an hour in some places and lying snow reaching 20-30 cm and possibly 40 cm in a few places by mid morning on Thursday.

Strong easterly winds will lead to significant drifting of lying snow.